Let me understand. Your LBS updated the firmware(s) on the bike and now it has reverted to a Class 1? Without combing through the forums, where are you located? Were you one of the 1st to get this update (as far as you know)? And, they applied Levo firmware to a Vado?
Thanks. I saw " It appears the firmware update is for E.U version LEvo." That's why I'm curious how ANY competent, trustworthy, reliable LBS could do such a stupid thing. Everyone is entitled to make a mistake. Man, I'd eat that alive for 'compensation' and an 'appeasement gift' from them. Unacceptable, unless the mothership mislabeled it (which doesn't excuse it). As an analogy, the same stupid mistakes happen every day I'm sure in almost any profession, so how do we validate, verify, assure ourselves of the competency of things in general? This is why some (??) don't agree with me when I push the envelope. I've ranted on before in the Trek forum about a previous experience with my Trek LBS inefficiencies and I'm just saying. I guess that is why lawyers get rich, people screw up.
Ah, OK. My bad.
I talked over the phone to headquarters. I explained another Specialized dealer did the upgrade. He was familiar with the dealer and shop. Said they were solid people. I agree. I think the LBS just followed the instructions given by Specialized. The local LBS and I have bad blood. That's why I took it to another Specialized shop for the update. Long story but documented somewhere in Specialized forum. From what I can tell the update was only offered to my bike U.S or otherwise for Turbo Vados 5.0. That is strange in itself. BLEvo is detecting my bike as a LEvo now with the option to derestrict according to wheel size. Apparently wheel size was changed during update as well. Headquarters is going to pick my bike up per my request at their LBS in this area and deal with my situation personally. They are aware of my history with the LBS manager. It's an inconvenience for sure. I am confidant when my bike is returned it will be restored to Class 3. How that will be accomplished, is up to them to figure out. Once again, the shop that performed the update were very kind people.
I think this screw up origins is from MC/Specialized most likely.
Good luck, be sure to keep us in the loop.
Specific to Turbo Vado 5.0. What are your firmwares now motor,display, battery? (7.1.1, 13.4, 7.3.4) Those were mine prior to the update. Facts? I'm not sure what those are anymore. Apparent facts to some is out right lies to others. You can view the screenshots of the firmware updates. My advice would be to avoid them if you get notifications from MC. That's solely based on my experience. Another person's might be different.
Hi Nxharra, I’m from San Diego too! I see you made it to the top of Mr. Soledad. I’m curious did you have to put the Vado on the highest setting to climb Mt. Soledad? If yes, did the bike feel a little underpowered for that kind of ride? My friends want to do all 5 routes up and down Mt. Soledad. But I’m not sure if my bike has the torque do it. Your bike has more torque (90 vs my 70) and more assistance (410% vs my 280%). Thanks in advance for your thoughts.I test ride the Vado 6 around July 2019. Fell in love but the price prevented me to pull the trigger (my wife was totally against spending that much in a bike).
I needed an ebike as I live in a hilly part of San Diego and couldn’t complete the rides coming home and climbing due to knee injury.
I proceeded to purchase another ebike from a company located in San Francisco (around $2500). Loved the ebike ride in general but my heart was with Vado 6. Finally I couldn’t wait and put the ebike for sale and was lucky to be able to sell it after 2 months without loosing too much money (not easy to sell ebikes I learned).
I quickly ran to the dealer where I had tried Vado 6 in Sept 2019. By then they were offering 2020 Vado 5. I pulled the trigger this time and I have never been this happy.
it really is like ridding a bike but stronger.
My other ebike was like operating a machine. The power, noise level, battery, look, and .....
I love everything about this bike. I have about 1,400 miles since Sept 2019.
I had an issue where the motor would stop assisting for a split second periodically and had to take it to the LBS. they changed the control unit (monitor) and I have been problem free since.
Recently I replaced the seat post to a Kinekt aluminum and after getting used to the new feel the rides are even smoother
. . My stuff is working great and I'll let someone else be the guinea pig. Wonder why the discrepancy on the two batteries. Wonder what would happen if I switched batteries and updated the Como battery to the Vado number.
I have done it several times. It depends on how strong rider you are I had my bike mostly on sport mode and some even eco. I did use turbo on occasion. I am an average rider with knee issue so I am conservative not to push.
Just by your input you've cleared up something that has plagued another Vado 5.0 user. I believe he liked your post. He was complaining that his battery was stuck at 7.20.0 while a number of Vado 5.0 users U.S. were at 7.3.4. According to headquarters there are some unhappy campers that updated their LEvos as well. Walk mode was disabled by the update along with the way the power is "smooth" as opposed to what it was before.I've played with my wheel circumference and watched the tech do it on the computer. When the screen comes up there is a toggle that allows either class 1 or class 3. I remember telling the tech not to touch that one
FYI my U.S. bikes
Current Update
Vado 5
7.3.4 7.3.4
7.1.1 7.4.1
13.4.0 16.4.0
Como 5
7.20.0 7.20.0
7.1.1 7.4.1
13.4.0 16.4.0
That's a big jump on the one update. Spec needs to identify what the updates are so we can make the choice. I didn't update
By sheer curiosity, I made a RideWithGPS route from San Diego to Soledad Mountain. It turns out the maximum gradient on the route is 7.5%, so you Nxkharra are right: any mid-drive e-bike would make it easily. From my own experience, I would need Turbo mode and low gears starting from 14% grade (85 Nm motor, 320% amplification, 48-46T gearing). Yet Sierratim made 31% on his Vado 5
Stefan, how are you able to find out gradient on routes? I could use that info on my rides. A specific website? Or calculation? Oh wait, you mentioned Ride with GPS. I’ll look it up. Thanks for your thoughtful replyBy sheer curiosity, I made a RideWithGPS route from San Diego to Soledad Mountain. It turns out the maximum gradient on the route is 7.5%, so you Nxkharra are right: any mid-drive e-bike would make it easily. From my own experience, I would need Turbo mode and low gears starting from 14% grade (85 Nm motor, 320% amplification, 48-46T gearing). Yet Sierratim made 31% on his Vado 5
I'm old school too. U break u fix. I'm only hesitant leaving my bike for pickup at their local LBS. According to Specialized ridercare they just need to reinstall the software as Class 3 and measure the wheel circumference then input it in their system for accuracy. I can take it to the Specialized dealer who did the update and get it back same day. Alternatively I can drop it off to LBS where I purchased the bike, where there is bad blood and wait for their headquarters to pick it up, look it over and apply the changes. Undecided. I will do one or the other today while the weather is good.
Actually it does. Smaller wheel circumference in my case messes with the range and speed. The display return trip reports a couple mph slower than I was actually traveling. According to GPS. 26.2 mile trip, display reported 22.6 miles. The bike thinks I'm traveling slower and shorter distance. 2000 mm vs 2300 mm is not a huge difference. But if wheel size is reduced to 800 mm, like the old LEvo hack allowed that's significant.
